NOTE: Richeson Cary Walter probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Richeson, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in one of two forms. The first was a "Tin Type", but the most common was a new fangled process called a "CDV", which was a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Richeson then survived the war and lived into the 20th century. During his life, Richeson probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of his Civil War era picture added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter

Private RICHESON CARY WALTER, Co. F, 86th Illinois

Richeson Cary Walter was born on May 8, 1836 in Highland County, Ohio the son of John W. Walter and Hannah (Sumner) Walter. John W. Walter was born on December 13, 1789 and died on August 6, 1863 in Knox County, Illinois and was a Private in Captain Hugh Rogers Company of Highland Co., Ohio, from July 28, 1813 to August 26, 1813 during the War Of 1812. Hannah (Sumner) Walter was born May 9, 1793 and died on September 22, 1844 in Knox County, Illinois when Richeson Cary Walter was just 8 years of age. The Walters were laid to rest in the Housh-Walter-Sumner Cemetery. They are listed incorrectly on Find A Grave as being buried in the Clark Chapel Cemetery. These are two separate cemeteries and they are buried in the Housh-Walter-Sumner. That cemetery is listed that way on Find A Grave. After Hannah's death, John W. Walter was married 2nd to Fanny (Marchant) Thurman, who had been married previously to Mark Thurman, who had died in 1845. John and Fanny had one daughter in 1849, Hannah Jane Walter, who was married to Franklin Davis in 1867 in Knox County. Fanny died on January 31, 1870 and her earthly remains were laid with those of her first husband in the Uniontown Cemetery near Maquon, Illinois, while those of John W. Walter and Hannah (Sumner) Walter were laid in the Walter Cemetery.
There is much confusion as to whether Richeson Cary Walter's first name was Richeson or Richard, mostly because he really went by neither. He is usually listed as "Cary" or "R.C." However, John W. Walter was the son of James Walter and Elizabeth (RICHESON) Walter, thus giving us the answer as to where the Richeson came from, if he was in fact named Richeson. Richeson Cary had a brother, Thomas R. Walter, who also settled in Knox County, Illinois. Some family members believe that Thomas' middle name was also Richeson, and as a matter of fact, did name his son, who was born in 1853, Richeson Walter. But, after seeing the will of John W. Walter, I believe that the name is Richeson as he is listed numerous times as Richeson Cary Walter.
The Walter family came west to Illinois about 1839, settling in Knox County. It was there that Cary, and his brother, Bowater Sumner Walter, grew to manhood, farming the land beside their father.
It is now believed that Richeson Walter was first married to Sarah Fitch on January 21, 1855 in Fulton County, Illinois. He was first married to Sarah Fitch in Fulton County, Illinois, on 21 Jan 1855. Nancy Gawthrop found his marriage record in Vol. B, Fulton Co marriages, page 17, license #6.
It is recorded in Knox County that on October 18, 1860, Richard C. Walter was married to Polly Ann Hall. Polly was born on June 19, 1839 in Ohio, the daughter of David E. Hall and Elizabeth (Potts) Hall. David lived 1810-1863, and is buried in Hermon Methodist Cemetery, Chestnut Twp, Knox Co, Ill. Find a Grave #7383154. His wife Elizabeth (Potts) Hall lived 1818-1858, buried beside her husband and her Find a Grave memorial is #7383181.
On an interesting note Polly Ann had a sister Hannah Margaret Hall 1836-1918, whose husband, Joseph Marion Dyer, was also in the Civil War, serving in Co. A, Illinois 47th Infantry. He lived 1836-1916, and him and Hannah are buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery, and his Find a Grave is #30008027.
At the time of the 1850 census, this is the way the Hall family appears in the Knox County, Illinois census;
David E Hall M 39 Ohio
Elizabeth Hall F 32 Ohio
Harman Hall M 15 Ohio
Hiram Hall M 15 Ohio
Hannah Hall F 13 Ohio
Mary Hall F 12 Ohio
Elizabeth Hall F 10 Illinois
Eliza Hall F 8 Illinois
Samuel Hall M 6 Illinois
Lucy Hall F 4 Illinois
David Hall M 1 Illinois
Silence Hall F 1 Illinois

At the time of the 1860 census, this is the way the Hall appears in Chestnut Township of Knox County, Illinois;
David Hall M 50 New York
Ann D Hall F 33 England
Hiram Hall M 25 Ohio
Polly A Hall F 22 Ohio
Samuel Hall M 17 Illinois
Lucy Hall F 15 Illinois
David Hall M 11 Illinois
Silence Hall F 11 Illinois
Katherine Hall F 8 Illinois
Chauncy Hall M 6 Illinois
Nancy Hall F 6 Illinois
Josiah Waddle M 18
Amelia Bernard F 14 New York
Mary Bernard F 11 Illinois
Anson Mc Grew M 4 Illinois
Fred Hall M 0 Illinois

(Note: The Josiah Waddle, who is found with the family in 1860 also enlisted in Co. F of the 86th Illinois with R. C. Walter.)

At the time of the 1870 census, Cary (listed as Richardson) and Polly and their family are found in Knox County, Illinois;
Richardson Walter M 34 Ohio
Polly A Walter F 32 Ohio
Anson B Walter M 13 Illinois
Elvira Walter F 8 Illinois
Lucy Waddle F 24 Illinois
David Hall M 21 Illinois

At the time of the 1880 census, the Walters are found in Maquon, Knox, Illinois, where he is farming;
Self Cary Walter M 44 Ohio
Wife Polly Ann Walter F 41 Ohio
Son Anson Walter M 22 Illinois
Brother-in-law David Hall M 30 Illinois
Daughter Elvira Walter F 18 Illinois

As you can see, Cary Walter is listed as having a son named Anson B. Walter, who is listed as being 13 in 1870 and 22 in 1880. An Anson D. Walter is found to be buried in the same cemetery, the David City Cemetery, with Cary and Polly as well as his aunt and uncle, Mr. & Mrs. Bowater Sumner Walter. Anson's tombstone states his year of birth as 1856. His birthdate was September 8, 1856. Anson is almost certainly a son from this first marriage. Anson died on November 1, 1900.

Nancy, told me that she "doesn't have any exact dates for Elvira, and I can locate nothing on Kay, the third child. I would imagine he was born around 1881, because he is not listed in the 1880 census. The 1900 census for his parents only show Polly Ann and Richeson, so he was out on his own by that time. Only reference is Richeson's obit, mentioning his presence at the funeral. The 1900 census also indicates that Polly Ann is the mother of two children, and they are both living."

In all, at least three children were born to Richeson Cary Walter. They are;
1. Anson Don Walter; born September 8, 1856; died on November 1, 1900; buried in the David City Cemetery; See his Find A Grave site.

2. Elvira Walter; born c. __________ __, 1861 in Illinois; married to Clarence Irvin John Barker (1855 - 1924); Elvira died on __________ __, 1932; Elvira and Clarence are both buried in the David City Cemetery, David City, Butler County, Nebraska; See her Find A Graves site for more information about her and her family.

3. Kay (son) Walter; born c. 18___.

On July 29, 1862, Cary's brother's brother-in-law, Sumner W. Darnell, volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Maquon, Illinois area by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter for service in the Union Army. Four days later, on August 2, 1862, Cary's older brother, Bowater Sumner Walter, and another brother-in-law, Joel Darnell, who was married to Cary's older sister Cynthia Walters, as well as a future brother-in-law, Franklin Davis, who would marry Cary's baby 1/2 sister, Hannah Jane Walter, after the war, also volunteered to served in this Maquon company. Two days later on August 4, 1862, Richeson Cary Walter volunteered to serve in the Maquon area company. He is mustered in as Cary R. Walter.

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name WALTER, CARY R
Rank PVT Company F Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 26 Height 6' 1/2 Hair BLACK
Eyes BLUE Complexion FAIR Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity HIGHLAND CO, OH

Service Record
Joined When AUG 4, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL NOV 25, 1862

When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, he was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Private Cary R. Walter, were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade in the Union army of General Buell, who were in pursuit of Confederate troops under the command of General Braxton Bragg. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
However, even before the men of McCook's Brigade left the Louisville area, the civilian soldiers were having great difficulty with their new diet and new life style. When McCook's Bragade left the Louisville area on the Kentucky Campaign, many men were left behind sick in the hospitals. On the way to Nashville after the Battle of Perryville, the men of McCook's Brigade passed through Bowling Green, Kentucky and then Galltin, Tennessee. In each of these towns, McCook's Brigade stopped for a few days to rest. When they pulled out of each of these cities, more men were left behind in sick in makeshift army hospitals. One of the men known to have been difficulty with his health by the time they reached Gallatin, Tennessee was Private Bowater Sumner Walter. When McCook's Brigade marched out of Galltin on the final leg of the march to Nashville, Bowater was one of those sick soldiers left behind in a makeshift army hospital.
On November 25, 1862, about two weeks after the men of McCook's Brigade arrived in the Nashville area, the men of Co. F held an election to fill one of the openings in the Corporal ranks. Private Cary R. Walter was elected to be their next Corporal and Cary would serve as such for the remainder of the war. The men of McCook's Brigade and the whole Union army struggled with their health through the winter there in Nashville. The hospitals were full to overflowing and today the Nashville National Cemetery is the final resting place for hundreds of Union soldiers who died during that first winter there in Nashville.
Back in Gallatin, whatever his ailment, the army doctors were unable to do anything for Private Bowater Sumner Walter that seemed to improve his condition. Finally in late January of 1863, the army doctors finally came to the conclusion that the best thing they could do for Private Walter was to send him home, with the hope that with some home cooking he would survive his ailment. So, on February 2, 1863, Private Bowater Sumner Walter, was discharged from the service and sent home. Whatever his ailment, Bowater survived it with the help of family and that home cooking and lived well into the 20th century.
The 86th Illinois remained in the Nashville area through the spring and summer of 1863. In early July of 1863, the men of McCook's Brigade were marched to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, but returned shortly afterward, probably before the end of July. Back in Knox County, Carey' father passed away on August 6th, 1863. It probably was some time before Carey found out about the passing of his father. Col. Irons of the 86th passed away in Nashville on August 11, 1863 and on August 20, 1863, the men of McCook's Brigade left the Nashville are for good when they began what would become the Campaign for Chattanooga, Tennessee.
During the next two years, the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Corporal Cary R. Walter was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea. Cary Walter was mentioned in a letter that was written by Samuel B. Ouderkirk in April of 1864. Cary apparently got a short furlough and headed for home on April 3, 1864. A transcript of this letter can be seen on Samuel B. Ouderkirk's Find A Grave site. Corporal Walter was still there when Confederate General Johnston was forced to surrender his army to that of General William Tecumseh Sherman, after the Battle of Bentonville.
After the war came to an end, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where in May they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. They were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago, where they would receive their final pay and were discharged. By the end of June, the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County.
After returning from the service, Cary again resumed his life as a farmer. Cary and Polly, as stated before, are still found in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois at the time of the 1880 census.
Cary Walter, age: 44; marital status: Married; occupation: Farmer; birthplace: Ohio; spouse's name: Polly Ann Walter; spouse's birthplace: Ohio; father's birthplace: Ohio; mother's birthplace: Ohio;
self Cary Walter M 44 Ohio
wife Polly Ann Walter F 41 Ohio
son Anson Walter M 22 Illinois
daughter Elvira Walter F 18 Illinois
brother-in-law David Hall M 30 Illinois

Sometime before 1886, Cary and Polly moved their family west to Nebraska, where they settle in or near David City, Nebraska. His brother, Bowater, is known to have moved his family out west to David City, Nebraska in Butler County about 1882. It may have been then or shortly afterward that Cary and Polly followed them.
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion in Peoria, Illinois on August 27, 1887, the 25th Anniversary of the mustering in of the men of the 86th Illinois. Over the next 36 years, these reunions were held in Peoria, Illinois on or as close to that August 27the anniversary as they could. Though Cary was not able to attend that first reunion, he was able to make the trip from Nebraska to attend the 5th reunion in 1891 and the 14th reunion in 1900. That 1900 reunion was the last reunion that Cary was able to attend. His brother, Bowater, never attended a reunion.
Cary's obituary stated that about 12 years before he died, or about 1907, Cary and Polly moved to University Place. University Place was a small town northeast of Lincoln, Nebraska and is now a neighborhood within the city of Lincoln. They remained there about five years and then moved back east to Neosho, Missouri. There they purchased a home at the corner of McCord and High Streets.
It was there in their home at McCord and High that Private Richeson Cary Walter died about August 1, 1919. Thye following obituary appeared in the Neosho News, Neosho, Missouri, edition of Saturday, August 2, 1919.
"Carey Walter, aged 83 years, died at 5 p.m. yesterday at his home, corner of McCord and High Streets. Funeral services will be held at the home tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 o'clock and the remains to be taken to the old home of the family at David City, Nebraska, for interment. Deceased has been in poor health for several years and for the past few months had been confined to bed."
The following appeared in the People's Banner, David City, Butler Co., Nebraska, edition of Thursday, August 7, 1919:
"The body of R. C. Walters was brought here Monday night for burial in the David City cemetery. In the early days of David City R. C. Walters was a familiar figure here and was well known. About twelve years ago the family moved from here to University Place and from there to Neosho, Missouri where they have lived for the past seven years. Mr. Walters had been in poor health for a long time. At the time of his death he was 83 years of age.
The remains were accompanied here by his wife, Mr. and Mrs. C. I. J. Barker and two sons Kay and Don. Funeral services were held from the Coe funeral parlors Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Richards of the Congregational Church.
Besides his wife and daughter, Mrs. Barker, he leaves several nephews and nieces, several of whom live in or near David City."
After his death his earthly remains, as seen above, were sent back to his home of about 25 years, David City, Nebraska, where they were laid to rest in the David City Cemetery. Polly lived another seven years, all in Neosho, and upon her death in the home in Neosho on March 29, 1927, her earthly remains were also returned to David City where it was laid to rest beside her husband of almost 60 years in the David City Cemetery.

by Baxter B. Fite III and Find A Grave Contributor # 47512913, Nancy Gawthrop, whose email address is [email protected]

(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Walter family, who might be able to add to the biography of Cary Walter. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Cary, which may have survived the years, especially any of him in uniform from his days in the 86th, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see and for the local historical societies.)